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Solar scam accused Saritha led a luxurious life

Kochi, Jan 7 IANS | 1 year ago

Saritha Nair, one of the key accused in the solar scam that has rocked Kerala's more than two-year-old Oommen Chandy government, led a luxurious life, according to a police report that came out in the media Tuesday.

The police have registered 33 cases against her, of which she has secured bail in 30.

The detailed report filed by the police says of the Rs.6 crore that Saritha and her live-in partner Biju Radhakrishnan swindled, they spent Rs.5.50 crore.

The solar panel scam has been making headlines since June 3, 2013 when Saritha was arrested and two weeks later, Radhakrishnan was also taken into custody. Since then, the two are in jail.

The couple allegedly defrauded people by offering solar energy solutions at huge discounts and lured customers into investing in their enterprise by citing acquaintance with those in high offices in the state government.

Telephone call records of the couple revealed they had been in close touch with influential people in Kerala and three of Chandy's staff members lost their jobs after it was found they had links with Saritha.

The police report mentions she purchased sarees worth Rs.0.13 crore, spent Rs.0.4 crore at parties entertaining prominent Malayalam film personalities and also as fees for movie stars invited for an award function her company organised.

She splurged another Rs.0.2 crore on her household needs. An amount of Rs.1.2 crore went to popular TV and film actress Shalu Menon, also named an accused and who was jailed in one case but is out on bail.

While police were able to recover Rs.1 lakh from the duo, they have no details of the remaining sum of money.

Now, all eyes are on Saritha if she will be free as just three more cases remain.

The Left opposition, after almost six months of protest demanding Chandy's resignation as his office was involved, recently called it off after many felt they had crossed limits.

Chandy has already announced a judicial probe into the case and the report is expected to come out in another three months' time.